Multidisciplinary Approach to Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Diseases in Children. Intermediate Study Results

Abstract

The issue of recurrent upper respiratory tract diseases in children is common and relevant. Commonly this pathology is associated with other diseases that lead to the prolonged, complicated, or chronic course of the inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract. Objective. The aim of the study is to improve management principles for children with recurrent upper respiratory tract diseases according to the developed multidisciplinary and personalized approach (modern methods of diagnosis and health monitoring) for achieving long-term remission. Methods. The study included 65 children aged from 3 to 17 years 11 months with recurrent upper respiratory tract diseases. Examination: nasal, nasopharynx and larynx endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound with aqueous-siphon test, tympanometry, and laboratory tests (complete blood count, evaluation of total and specific IgE levels, antistreptolysin O, nasopharynx and oropharynx microbiological study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent fecal analysis for Helicobacter pylori). Results. 88% of examined children showed allergic pathology according to our study results. Clinical signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were revealed in 30% of children with chronic oropharynx inflammation. GERD signs were revealed both via abdominal ultrasound with aqueous-siphon test and via fiberoptic laryngoscopy and later confirmed by esophagogastroscopy in 8.7% of patients. Obtained data indicates high prevalence of allergic and gastroenterological pathology in children with recurrent upper respiratory tract diseases. Conclusion. Obtained results allow us to establish scientifically multidisciplinary and personalized approach for the management of children with recurrent upper respiratory tract disease. This approach shall include key diagnostic methods required for improvement of comorbid conditions revealing, and achieving and maintaining control over the disease symptoms. The study is currently ongoing.

Keywords

• recurrent upper respiratory tract disease
• nasopharynx endoscopy
• fiberoptic laryngoscopy
• allergic rhinitis
• gastroesophageal reflux